As the Emmy-nominated newcomer cable network VICELAND reaches its six-month mark, the network leadership announces a number of new projects.
Debuting with all-original content produced completely in-house, VICELAND has become one of the fastest “aging down” networks on television (down 17 years vs. its predecessor, H2). Looking ahead, the network plans a wide variety of creative development.
Co-President Eddy Moretti said: “Just six months in and VICELAND is right on track. We gave birth to a completely new brand — a unique voice with 100% VICE-produced content, that is attracting a young, smart, affluent audience. And today, more people are watching VICE-produced content on every possible screen than ever before. That’s insane, and insanely wonderful. Plus, we got two Emmy nominations out of the gate. It’s a sign that in just these first six months, VICELAND is already a cultural player on the televisual dial. We couldn’t be more proud.”
Led by VICELAND President of Programming Nick Weidenfeld, the network’s slate of original programming continues to broaden.
Says Weidenfeld: “I’m so proud of the what we have accomplished in just a few months since launching but there is much more work to be done. Our job is to give a platform to as many diverse and powerful voices as we can. No other network creates all its own content and brings together such disparate but important people. As we expand the talent pool, we’ll need to grow as a network, experimenting with genre and formats. There are no rules at Viceland, which makes it the most exciting place to work.”
The network will make its first foray into a daily late night talk show starting in October with the debut of “Desus & Mero.” A show that will feature voices yet to be heard on the late night landscape, “Desus & Mero” come to VICELAND from their popular podcast “The Bodega Boys” and web show “Desus vs. Mero.” The new show promises to be a fresh take on the day’s events, the culture at large and day-to-day life… all through the eyes of two friends born and raised in the Bronx.
Other development news includes two new series with a wide range of talent including:
— A series with Tyler, the Creator, produced by Whalerock Industries and based on a show from Tyler’s Golf Media App.
— Two time Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning filmmaker Ondi Timoner of Interloper Films brings “JUNGLETOWN” to VICELAND. Timoner has embedded herself within a group of idealistic young students and staff members alongside a charismatic entrepreneur, who, facing impending climate disaster, have committed themselves to the creation of “the world’s greatest sustainable modern town” in Panama, called Kalu Yala (“Sacred Land”). She captures the conflict and catharsis that comes when their dream of a “sacred land” collides with the reality that they are in the middle of the jungle and must make everything they need, literally building something from nothing – from basic shelter to a functional community.
In addition to new shows, VICELAND will also be bringing back second seasons of two of its inaugural programs – “Huang’s World” with chef, restaurateur and writer Eddie Huang and “States of Undress” with writer and model Hailey Gates (premiere dates TBA).
